Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: May 11, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Exits

Large-cap private equity activity saw Apollo Global Management move to take control of the live events sector by acquiring Emerald Holding and Questex for a combined $1.5 billion transaction, while Blackstone is set to purchase a majority stake in the Greek online marketplace Skroutz from CVC. In the mid-market, Paceline is preparing to divest its railroad equipment leasing and maintenance firm, RELAM, with the transaction anticipated to finalize by the end of May 2026, and LDC successfully exited the construction data firm BCIS to Bowmark Capital in a move involving subscription-based cost and carbon data services. Separately, Altor is expanding its Nordic footprint by agreeing to acquire a majority stake in Sertion, a specialist in complex pipework services for infrastructure, while simultaneously launching an offer for the AI-powered sleep tracking application, Sleep Cycle.

Fund Activity & Investor Appetite

Firms are managing liquidity and capital deployment with varying strategies; Carlyle pointed to employee ownership contributing to a recent 15x exit, contrasting with pockets of stress noted in the broader mid-market, though overall resilience was suggested in recent stress tests. On the capital raising front, Japanese institutional investor DBJ Asset Management signaled intentions to actively pursue new general partner partnerships and expand its overall private equity exposure beginning in 2026. Furthermore, secondary transactions saw Verdane successfully close a €635 million multi-asset continuation vehicle, with Coller Capital emerging as the sole lead on the transaction, which also involved Step Stone co-underwriting the vehicle containing assets like the Arrive Group.

Sector Focus: Infrastructure, Services, and Europe

Private capital is finding specific niches in essential services and specialized technology across Europe. Pollen Street is acquiring a majority stake in a newly consolidated home services provider, combining Hometree and OVO Energy’s Home Services division, signaling interest in the fragmented residential maintenance sector. Dynasty Equity’s Don Cornwell stated that business models are finally aligning with the high levels of passion seen in sports investments, citing their holdings in entities like Liverpool FC and TMRW Sports. Meanwhile, M&G’s private markets CIO, Emmanuel Deblonde, suggested that private capital can play a material role in bolstering Europe’s energy resilience and financing the conversion of manufacturing facilities, as geopolitical dynamics shift defense and industrial supply chains. In the European tech sphere, while some areas like quantum software—where Algorithmiq raised €18m and relocated to Italy—see funding, there is also discussion about the maturation of other complex areas like quantum computing and specialized legal technology.